Carton



6 J. J. AUST ETAL 3,266,707

CARTON Filed Jan. 10, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTORS Aug. 16, 1966 J. J. AUST ETAL 3,265,707

CARTON Filed Jan. 10, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR$ J J as? 3 BY A United States Patent M CARTUN .l'ohn J. Aust and Larry M. Donley, Toledo, @hio, as-

signors to @wens-lllilinois Glass Company, a corporation of @hio Filed Jan. 1%, 1963, Set. No. 251,466 Claims. (Cl. 229-39) The present application is continuation-in-part of our copending application, Serial No. 58,091, filed September 23, 1960, and entitled Carton, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to paperboard containers, and more particularly to a paperboard container having a self-locking bottom closure. The container of this invention is also adapted to enclose a flexible bag to provide a bag-in-a-box package.

Present practice is to supply to manufacturers of fluent materials a tubular-type container or carbon and a flexible bag, which is adapted to contain the fluent material and fit within the carton. These cartons are shipped to the manufacturer flat or knocked down and are set up by the manufacturer prior to filling. After the carton has been set up, it is the practice to place a pad in the bottom of the carton to provide a smooth resting surface for the flexible bag. The purpose of the pad is to prevent puncturing of the bag by the bottom flaps of the carton. The use of such a pad makes it necessary for the manufacturer to stock an additional item and also necessitates an additional operation in setting up the carton.

Our invention is directed primarily to a carton having self-locking bottom flaps to facilitate setting up the carton and eliminate the need for fastening the bottom flaps by additional means, such as tape, glue or staples. Furthermore, our bottom closure allows the carton to be conveniently knocked down after use and reshipped to the manufacturer for reuse.

Another feature of the bottom closure of our invention is that the inner flap of the closure fully spans the end of the carton, thereby keeping the carton square and eliminating the need for putting an extra pad in the carton to provide a smooth resting place for the flexible bag. The top closure flaps of the the carton of our invention are also provided with novel access tabs to allow dispensing from the flexible bag while it remains in the carton.

The specific nature of this invention, as well as other objects and advantages thereof, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed sheets of drawings, on which, by way of example only, the preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the blank used to form the carton of our invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view partly in section, showing the bottom closure flaps of our carton partly assembled;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the erected carton with a wire tied flexible bag placed therein;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 44l of FIG. 3 with the flexible bag removed and a portion of the inner bottom panel broken away; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the flexible bag used in com bination with our carton.

Referring to FIG. 1, the blank 10, which is erected to form the container or carton of our invention, is die cut from a sheet of bendable sheet-like material, such as corrugated paperboard or the like. The blank comprises four substantially rectangular side panels 11, 12, 13 and 14 foldably connected together along score lines 11a, 12a and 13a. Top closure flaps 15, 16, 17 and 18, which are similar to the top closure flaps found on a regular slotted carton and are adapted to close the upper end of the Patented August 116, 1966 carton, are foldably attached to the upper free edges of respective side panels.

Two access flaps 19 and 20 are formed along the adjacent free edges of top closure flaps 15 and 16 by slits 21. The slits 21 are arranged so that the access tabs are substantially square, of the same size, and remain foldably attached to the upper edges of their respective side panels 11 and 12. It is to be understood, of course, that the slits 21 .may be replaced by perforated score lines where desired to keep the access flaps in place until they need to be opened. Two thumb holes 19a are formed along one free edge of the access tabs to facilitate opening the tabs, in a manner to be described.

The bottom closure flaps comprise first, second and third flaps or panels which are foldably attached to the lower free edges of their respective side panels. The inner or first panel 22 is a substantially rectangular panel which is sized to span and fit snugly within the side panels when they are folded into a closed tubular configuration. The second panels 23 are forably attached to the lower free edges of side panels 12 and 14, which are oppositely disposed to each other when the side panels are folded into a closed tubular configuration. The second panels are similar to the top closure flaps, except that they have a cutback portion defined by a portion 26 of their free edges.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the second panels 23 are folded inwardly, normal to their respective side panels, they have a portion 25 of their free edges abutting and a portion 26 non-abutting. The non-abutting portions 26 of the free edges, together with the lower free edge of the side panel 11, define a trapezoidal shaped opening 35 having a short leg parallel to the side panel 13. The term abutting free edges is intended to be construed liberally to include slightly spaced apart or slightly overlapping free edges. The third panel 24 is foldably attached to the lower free edge of the remaining side panel 13 and is divided into an inner portion 27 and an outer portion 23 by a double score line 29. The inner portion 27 is foldably attached to a lower free edge of the side panel 13 and is adapted to overlap and underlie the abutting free edges 25 of the second panels 23 when it is folded normal to its associated side panel 13. The score line 29 is adapted to coincide with the previously described short leg of the trapezoidal opening 35. The outer portion 28 of the third panel is trapezoidal in shape and is adapted to fit within the trapezoidal opening 25. A semi-circular finger notch 30 is also formed on the outer portion 28 to facilitate assembly, in a manner to be described.

Referring to FIG. 5, the flexible bag 40, which may be formed of polyethylene or the like, is fabricated from tubing. The bag 40 is formed by heat sealing to form a straight line seal 41 to close the lower end of the bag. The upper end of the bag is partially closed by heat sealing to form a line seal 42, which follows, in part, an armate path to leave a dispensing opening 43 in the upper end of the bag. After the bag has been filled with a fluent material, it may be closed by either forming a third line seal across the dispensing opening 43, or by wrapping a wire securely around the dispensing opening to seal the Referring now to FIG. 2, the carton is erected by folding the side panels into a tubular configuration and applying a length of tape 31 to the adjacent free edges of side panels 11 and 14. The lower end of the carton is closed by first folding the first panel 22 inwardly to lie within the carton. Next, the second panels 23 are folded inwardly, normal to their respective side panels, so as to be coplanar. The third panel 24 is then folded inwardly so that its inner portion 27 overlaps and underlies the abutting free edges 25 of the second panels 23. The outer portion 28 is folded along the score line 29 and through the '3 trapezoidal opening 35. The outer portion 28 is then reversely folded along the score line 29 to overlap and overlie in flush relationship the abutting free edges 25 of the second panels, see FIGS. 3 and 4. It may be noted at this point that in order for the outer portion to lie flush with the second panels, it is desirable that the outer portion be slightly smaller than the inner portion 27. Thus, when the third panel has been folded to underlie and overlie portions of the second panels, an interlocking structure has been formed which will support the first panel 22. The first panel 22 is then pushed down to lie normal with its respective side panel and supportingly rest on the thus interlocked second and third panels. When a carton is viewed interiorly at this time five smooth surfaces, i.e., the side panels and the first panel 22, are presented, and the interior of the carton is without any protuberances or depressions which could puncture or pinch a flexible bag inserted therein. After the carton has been erected, as previously described, a wire tied plastic bag 40, which has been filled with a fluent material, is placed within the carton, see FIG. 3. The upper end of the carton is then closed by inwardly folding, normal to their respective side panels, two opposed top closure flaps 15 and 17. Then the remaining top closure flaps 16 and 18 are inwardly folded in the same manner, to overlie the flaps 15 and 17. A tape 32 is applied across the abutting free edges of the top closure flaps 16 and 18 to secure the upper end of the carton. Since the access tabs 19 and 20 are formed along adjacent free edges of the top closure fiaps 15 and 16, they will be in overlying and underlying relationship to each other.

To dispense the contents of the bag 40, the access tab 20 is grasped through the finger hole 19:: and is pulled outwardly to expose the access tab 19. The access tab 19 is then grasped through the finger hold 19a and pulled outwardly to complete the formation of the dispensing opening 34. The dispensing portion of the bag 40 may then be withdrawn through this opening 34 and unsealed to dispense the contents of the bag.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be modified through a wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is not, therefore, the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim.

1. A carton comprising four substantially rectangular side panels foldably connected together in a closed tubular configuration, a first flap foldably connected to the lower free edge of one of said side panels, said first flap being inwardly folded to span and fit snugly within said tubular configuration to close the lower end of said carton, two second flaps respectively foldably attached to the lower free edges of the side panels adjacent said one side panel, said second flaps each being inwardly folded to underlie portions of said first flap, said second flaps, when inwardly folded, having a portion of their free edges disposed in substantially abutting relationship, the remaining portions of said free edges cooperating to define an opening having one edge substantially parallel to the lower free edge of the remaining side panel, a third flap foldably attached to the remaining side panel and having inner and outer sections separated by a score line, said inner section folded normal to said remaining side panel to overlap and underlie said abutting portions of said free edges, said score line being parallel and adjacent to said one edge of said opening, and said outer section passing through said opening and being reversely folded to overlie said second flaps to lock said second flaps in place, thereby providing a supporting surface for said first flap.

2. A carton as defined in claim 1, wherein said one edge of said opening is narrower than said remaining side panel and the side edges of said opening flare laterally outwardly from said one edge, said score line being coextensive with said one edge and said outer section flaring laterally outwardly to generally correspond to said opening, whereby said outer section must fold about said one edge in a fully extended manner to pass through said opening.

3. A corrugated paperboard shipping container comprising four side panels foldably connected together into a tubular configuration, closure means for closing the upper open end of said tubular configuration, a first panel foldably attached to the lower free edge of one of said side panels, said first panel folded normal to said side panel and arranged to fully span the lower open end of said tubular configuration, a pair of oppositely disposed second panels foldably attached to the side panels adjacent to said one side panel, said second panels inwardly folded to underlie said first panel, said second panels having a portion of their free edges in abutting relation and another portion of their free edges cooperating with said lower free edge of said one side panel to define a trapezoidal-shaped opening, said opening having one edge parallel to and spaced from said lower free edge of said one side panel, the side edges of said opening extending laterally outwardly from said one edge to the said lower free edge of said one side panel, a third panel foldably attached to the lower free edge of the side panel opposite said one side panel, said third panel inwardly folded to underlie said second panels and having a bisecting score line dividing said third panel into inner and outer sections, said score line being adjacent and coextensive with said one edge of said opening, said outer section being generally trapezoidal-shaped and conforming generally to said opening and reversely folded in a fully extended manner through said opening to lie between said first panel and second panels to lock said second panels together in a common plane.

4. A shipping container formed of corrugated paperboard and comprising:

(1) four side panels foldably connected together into a tubular configuration;

(2) closure means for closing the upper open end of said tubular configuration;

(3) a first panel foldably attached to the lower free edge of a first side panel, said first panel folded normal to said first side panel and arranged to fully span the lower open end of said tubular configuration;

(4) a pair of oppositely disposed second panels foldably attached to the side panels adjacent to said first side panel, said second panels inwardly folded to underlie said first panel, said second panels having a portion of their free edges in abutting relationship and another portion of their free edges cooperating with the lower free edge of said first side panel to define a trapezoidal-shaped opening;

(5) said opening having one edge parallel to and spaced from the lower free edge of said first side panel, said one edge being narrower than the width of said first side panel, the side edges of said opening extending laterally outwardly from said one edge to the lower free edge of said first side panel;

(6) a third panel foldably attached to the lower free edge of the side panel opposite said first side panel, said third panel inwardly folded to underlie said second panels and having a bisecting score line dividing said third panel into inner and outer sections, said score line being adjacent and coextensive with said one edge of said opening;

(7) said outer section being generally trapezoidalshaped and conforming generally to said opening, said outer section having its side edges flaring outwardly from said bisecting score line whereby said outer section will pass through said opening only in a fully extended manner, and said outer section being reversely folded through said opening to lie between said first and second panels to lock said second panels together in a common plane, thereby providing a rigid supporting surface for said first panel.

5 5. A container as defined in claim 4, wherein said hisecting score line extends across a medial portion of said third flap and the inner and outer sections of said third flap are both trapezoidal-shaped and generally similar.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,826,351 3/1958 Anderson 229-39 2,835,432 5/1958 Wilmot 229-39 6 2,844,296 7/1958 Soja 229-39 2,933,230 4/1960 Yezek 229-17 3,018,029 1/ 1962 Trellaws 229-39 3,078,018 2/ 1963 Galloway.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

THERON E. CONDO'N, FRANKLIN T. GARRETT,

Examiners. D. T. MOORHEAD, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CARTON COMPRISING FOUR SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR SIDE PANELS FOLDABLY CONNECTED TOGETHER IN A CLOSED TUBULAR CONFIGURATION, A FIRST FLAP FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO THE LOWER FREE EDGE OF ONE OF SAID SIDE PANELS, SAID FIRST FLAP BEING INWARDLY FOLDED TO SPAN AND FIT SNUGLY WITHIN SAID TUBULAR CONFIGURATION TO CLOSE THE LOWER END OF SAID CARTON, TWO SECOND FLAPS RESPECTIVELY FOLDABLY ATTACHED TO THE LOWER FREE EDGES OF THE SIDE PANELS ADJACENT SAID ONE SIDE PANEL, SAID SECOND FLAPS EACH BEING INWARDLY FOLDED TO UNDERLIE PORTIONS OF SID FIRST FLAP, SAID SECOND FLAPS, WHEN INWARDLY FOLDED, HAVING A PORTION OF THEIR FREE EDGES DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP, THE REMAINING PORTIONS OF SAID FREE EDGES COOPERATING TO DEFINE AN OPENING HAVING ONE EDGE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE LOWER FREE EDGE OF THE REMAINING SIDE PANEL, A THIRD FLAP FOLDABLY ATTACHED TO THE REMAINING SIDE PANEL AND HAVING INNER AND OUTER SECTIONS SEPARATED BY A SCORE LINE, SAID INNER SECTION FOLDED NORMAL TO SAID REMAINING SIDE PANEL TO OVERLAP AND UNDERLIE SAID ABUTTING PORTIONS OF SAID FREE EDGES, SAID SCORE LINE BEING PARALLEL AND ADJACENT TO SAID ONE EDGE OF SAID OPENING, AND SAID OUTER SECTION PASSING THROUGH SAID OPENING AND BEING REVERSELY FOLDED TO OVERLIE SAID SECOND FLAPS TO LOCK SAID SECOND FLAPS IN PLACE, THEREBY PROVIDING A SUPPORTING SURFACE FOR SAID FIRST FLAP. 